Nonwovens modified with petrolatum

Abstract

A lotion alternative, namely a nonwoven fabric treated with an aqueous-based petrolatum-surfactant mixture, simultaneously imparts fluid handling and skin health benefits during product use. The petrolatum-surfactant mixture can be applied to the nonwoven fabric by a foaming process. The foaming process is compatible with existing commercial nonwoven production equipment and in-line high production rates.

We claim:  
     
       1. A surface-modified nonwoven fabric, comprising: 
       a nonwoven web treated with an aqueous-based dispersion of a petrolatum-surfactant mixture;  
       the aqueous-based dispersion including between about 60 wt % and about 99 wt % water;  
       the petrolatum surfactant mixture including petrolatum, a long chain fatty alcohol, an ethoxylated fatty acid ester of a sugar, and a monofatty acid ester of a sugar.  
     
     
       2. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises up to about 75 wt % petrolatum. 
     
     
       3. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises between about 20 wt % and about 70 wt % petrolatum. 
     
     
       4. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises between about 40 wt % and about 60 wt % petrolatum. 
     
     
       5. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises between about 5 wt % and about 20 wt % long chain fatty alcohol. 
     
     
       6. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises between about 0.1 wt % and about 20 wt % ethoxylated fatty acid ester of a sugar. 
     
     
       7. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the petrolatum surfactant mixture comprises between about 10 wt % and about 30 wt % monofatty acid ester of a sugar. 
     
     
       8. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the long chain fatty alcohol comprises cetyl alcohol. 
     
     
       9. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the ethoxylated fatty acid ester of a sugar comprises ethoxylated sorbitol monooleate. 
     
     
       10. The nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the monofatty acid ester of a sugar comprises sorbitan palmitate. 
     
     
       11. The nonwoven fabric of claim wherein the petrolatum-surfactant mixture has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance between 7 and 12. 
     
     
       12. An absorbent garment comprising the nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       13. A diaper comprising the nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       14. A training pant comprising the nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       15. A feminine hygiene article comprising the nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       16. An absorbent underpant comprising the nonwoven fabric of  claim 1 .